Hub structure adjustable for different reels



Oct. 11, 1966 R. B. CO CHRANE 3,273,134

HUB STRUCTURE ADJUSTABLE FOR DIFFERENT REELS Original Filed June 4, 1964I T :3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Oct. 11, 1966 3,278,134

HUB STRUCTURE ADJUSTABLE FOR DIFFERENT REELS R. B. COCHRANE 5Sheets-Sheet 2 Original Filed June 4, 1964 Fl|l|\ Q g a n g r J m 8 a l4 [w 5 9 L V7 5-1%] a w .I! w m 5 i Q m 7.4 I 1% I 5 6 x1 4 5 6 4 5 5 2r 6 5 5 2 l 45w w 4 V 4 4% 0 6 I|||P:|| 4 0 TLI/I 4 3 5 6/ 5 W 4 6 a a a1 1 4 2 5 2 F UHHI IHN M IH 1 F a 2 H HUWI LU Oct. 11, 1966 R. B.COCHRANE 3,278,134

HUB STRUCTURE ADJUSTABLE FOR DIFFERENT HEELS 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 OriginalFiled June 4, 1964 bi 4 4/ 3 73 WMW 4 e Z 77 United States Patent3,278,134 HUB STRUCTURE ADJUSTABLE FOR DIFFERENT REELS Robert R.Cochrane, Northridge, Califi, assignor to Minnesota Mining andManufacturing Company, St. Paul, Minn, a corporation of DelawareContinuation of application Ser. No. 372,641, June 4, 1964. Thisapplication Aug. 6, 1965, Ser. No. 479,694 18 Claims. (Cl. 242-685) Thisis a continuation of my copending application Serial No. 372,641, filedJune 4, 1964, now abandoned, entitled Hub Structure Adjustable forDifferent Reels.

This invention relates to means for the rotary support of reels intransport systems where strip material such as magnetic recording tapeor motion picture film travels from a supply reel through an operatingzone to a take-up reel. More particularly stated, the invention isdirected to such a rotary support that is adapted for mounting reels ofstrip material of different widths.

In a tape transport system of a certain type, for example, it is commonpractice to run /2" tape and 1 tape interchangeably. The reels for thetwo tape sizes have axial openings of the same diameter but, of course,the reels for the two tape sizes differ in thickness or axial dimension.The problem is to design such a rotary support for quick and convenientchangeover from operation with a reel of one axial dimension tooperation with a reel of the other axial dimension.

In a conventional tape transport system interchangeable hub structuresare employed for the two sizes of reels and a set of hub structures mustbe dismounted and replaced whenever a changeover is required. Thischangeover procedure takes time and often requires the use of tools. Theprocedure is further objectionable because a hub structure that is notin use may be misplaced to cause further loss of time in a subsequentchangeover.

The present invention corrects this situation by providing a single hubstructure which may be quickly adjusted manually for engagement withreels of the two sizes selectively without the need of any toolswhatsoever. Generally described, the invention provides a base structureto receive a reel and a cooperative annular assembly which may becontracted to a diameter to fit into the axial opening of a reel and maybe radially expanded into engagement with the reel in the region of theaxial opening. The invention further provides control means adjustableto shift the assembly axially as required to conform to the two reelthicknesses and to expand the assembly into engagement with the reels.

The reel-engaging assembly comprises essentially three members, namely,a first annular member with a smooth frusto-conical surface, a resilientring embracing the smooth conical surface under circumferential tensionand therefore tending to climb the conical surface, and a second annularmember overhanging the resilient ring to cooperate with the ring.

The outside diameter of both of the annular members is less than thediameter of an axial opening in a reel and when the two annular membersare sufliciently spaced apart to permit the resilient ring to climbclose to the crest of the frusto-conical surface, the outside diameterof the resilient ring is also less than the diameter of an axial openingin a ring. When the two annular members are moved close together tocrowd the resilient ring towards the larger diameter of the conicalsurface, the resilient ring is stretched to expand to a diameter largerthan the given diameter. Since the tensioned resilient ring tends3,278,134 Patented Oct. 11, 1966 to climb the frusto-conical surface andthus tends to separate the two annular members of the assembly, theresilient ring biases the assembly for axial elongation andcorresponding radial contraction. The normally axially elongatedassembly may be compressed longitudinally, however, to cause radialexpansion of the yielding ring into engagement with a reel.

The assembly may simply expand into frictional engagement with the innercircumferential surface of a reel to anchor the reel on the hubstructure. A feature of the preferred practice of the invention,however, is that the expanded resilient ring frictionally engages therim of the axial opening of the reel in such manner that it alsooverhangs the rim of the axial opening to serve as a positive stop toprevent axial shift of the reel away from the hub structure.

The features and advantages of the invention may be understood from thefollowing detailed description and the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings which are to be regarded as merely illustr-ative:

-FIG. 1 is a plan view of the presently preferred embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a transverse section taken along the line 33 of FIG. 2 showingthe three latches that are carried by the expandable assembly;

FIGS. 4 and 5 are enlarged sectional views showing how latch meanscarried by the expandable assembly releasably engages the base structureto block movement of the assembly towards the base structure to permitthe assembly to be expanded into engagement with a reel of the greateraxial dimension;

FIGS. 6 and 7 are similar views showing how in the absence of a reel ofthe larger axial dimension, the latch means may be released to permitfurther travel of the expandable assembly towards the base structure;and

FIGS. 8, 9 and 10 are similar views showing successive stages in theoperation of the device for engagement with a reel of the lesser axialdimension.

As best shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the selected embodiment of the inventionincludes a circular base structure, generally designated 10, whichfixedly embraces a spindle 12 by means of which the device may bemounted on a suitable rotary support means (not shown) for supporting areel. The rotary support means, for example, may be power actuated forsupport of a take-up reel or may be frictionally retarded for support ofa supply reel.

The base structure 10 provides a radial support surface 14 to abut oneface of a reel and the base structure is further formed with aconcentric boss 16 to fit into the axial opening of a reel to center thereel. In a well known manner, the boss 16 is provided with three radiallugs 18 each of which is positioned and dimensioned to engage alongitudinal groove in the axial opening of a reel to drive the reel.FIG. 4 shows in dotted lines a reel, generally designated 20, of thelarger axial dimension, which reel has an axial opening with an innercircumferential surface 22 and with a longitudinal groove 24 forengagement by the corresponding lug 18. In like manner, FIG. 6 shows indotted lines a reel 25 of lesser axial dimension with an innercircumferential surface 22 and a longitudinal groove 24. To cause thesereels to fit around the boss 16 in a snug manner, the boss is providedwith a circumferential groove in which is mounted a suitable O-ring 26.

As shown in FIGS. 4-10, the mechanism for releasably engaging a reelincludes an expansile annular assembly comprising a first annular member28, a second annular member and a resilient ring in the form of anelastomeric O-ring 32. The first annular member 28 has an axial aperture34 and is formed peripherally with a circumferential flared flange 35having a smooth truncated conical surface 36, the major diameter of theconical surface being less than the diameter of an axial opening in areel. The unrestrained diameter of the resilient ring 32 is less thanthe minor diameter of the conical surface 36 with the consequence thatthe resilient ring constantly tries to climb the conical surface, i.e.seeks to shift axially along the conical surface in the direction ofdecreasing diameter of the surface.

The second annular member 30 is provided with an axial aperture 38 andis formed with a flared circumferential flange 40 that overhangs theflared flange 35 of the first annular member and abuts the resilientring 32 on the side of the ring to oppose the tendency of the resilientring to climb the conical surface 36. It is apparent that the resilientring 32 continuously presses against the second annular member 30 totend to elongate the three-member assembly axially. Thus the threememberassembly is biased for axial elongation to contract the outside diameterof the resilient ring to less than the diameter of an axial opening in areel 20 or 25.

FIG. 4 shows the assembly of the three members 28, 30 and 32 axiallyelongated to permit the resilient ring 32 to contract to less than theinside diameter of an axial opening in a reel. When the three-memberassembly is axially compressed as shown in FIG. 5, the flared flange 40of the second annular member 30 forces the resilient ring 32 down theconical surface 36 to expand the resilient ring to an outside diametergreater than the diameter of the axial opening of a reel. Thus thethree-member assembly is in effect radially expandable in response toaxial compression.

In the selected embodiment of the invention, the control structure tocarry the radially expandable assembly towards and away from the basestructure 10 comprises a screw threaded post 42 extending axially fromthe base structure together with a manually rotatable internallythreaded control collar 44 that travels along the post by screw action.In the construction shown, the collar 44 is united with a circularhandle or knob 45 which overhangs and conceals the outer end of the post42. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the knob 45 may be formed with spacedlongitudinal ribs 46 to facilitate manual rotation.

The two annular members 28 and 30 slidingly embrace the control collar44 with the axially outward movement of the annular member 30 limited bythe knob 45 and the axially inward movement of the annular member 28limited by a stop nut 48 that is threaded onto the inner end of thecontrol collar. Thus the knob 45 and the stop nut 48 serve as a pair ofaxially spaced shoulders to confine the radially expandable assemblycomprising the two annular members 30 and 28 together with the resilientring 32, the knob and stop nut being spaced far enough apart to permitthe expandable assembly to relax with the resilient ring at its minimumdiameter.

Suitable latch means for the purpose of the invention may comprise threelatches spaced circumferentially apart on the underside of the annularmember 28 as shown in FIG. 3, each latch comprising a latch member 50mounted on an inverted U-shaped bracket 52. Each bracket 52 forms aguide slot for the corresponding latch member 50 with the latch memberpivotally mounted on a cross pin 54 that spans the slot.

As shown in FIG. 4, for example, each latch member 50 is formed with amain latch arm 55 and a control arm 56 and the latch member is biasedtowards its engagement position by a suitable torque spring 58 thatembraces the cross pin 54 and acts against the control arm. The main arm55 of each latch member 50 is provided with a lateral recess 60 whichforms a hook finger 62 on the end of the arm. Each latch arm 55 extendsinto a corresponding recess in the form of a radial guide slot 64 in thebase structure 10 and the radial slot forms an element 65 for engagementby the latch arm recess 60.

As may be seen in FIG. 4, the torque spring 58 biases the latch member50 counterclockwise towards its effective latching position and releaseforce may be applied to the control arm 56 of the latch member inopposition to the torque spring to swing the latch member to a releaseposition shown in FIG. 7. When the latch member is in the releaseposition shown in FIG. 7, the main arm of the latch member may beadvanced into the slot 64 and to permit this advance the base structure10 is formed with an annular recess 66 to clear the advancing controlarm 56 of the latch member.

FIG. 4 shows the control collar 44 and the associated control knob 45adjusted to place the expandable assembly at its outer limit positionwhere the annular member 28 is releasably immobilized by the latchmember 50. The hook fingers 62 of the latch engage the inner surfaces ofthe elements 65 of the base structure to prevent axially outwardmovement of the annular member, and shoulders 70 of the latch membersabut the outer surfaces of the elements to prevent axial inward movementof the annular member.

With the parts in the positions shown in FIG. 4, rotation of the knob 45and the sleeve 44 to advance the knob 45 towards the base structure 10results in the knob crowding the annular member 30 against the resilientring 32 to force the resilient ring down the slope of the conicalsurface 36 of the annular member 28 with consequent radial expansion ofthe resilient ring. If a reel 20 of the larger axial dimension ismounted on the base structure 10 as indicated in FIG. 4, the expandingresilient ring 32 is forced against the inner rim of the reel 20 asshown in RIG. 5. The resilient ring has deformed under pressure tofrictionally engage the inner rim of the reel and to overhang the innerrim of the reel to press the reel against the support surface 14 of thebase structure 10 and thus prevent axial separation of the reel from thebase structure.

If there is no reel 20 of the greater axial dimension on the basestructure for pressure contact by the resilient ring 32, the knob 45 maybe further rotated to advance the control collar 44 towards the basestructure from the position shown in FIG. 5. When the control collar 44advances to the position shown in FIG. 6, the stop nut 48 makes contactwith the control arm 56 of the latch member 50 and further advance ofthe control collar results in the stop nut cooperating with the controlarm to swing the latch member to its released position as shown in FIG.7.

As soon as the latch member is swung to its released position theexpanded resilient ring 32 acts to elongate the assembly, i.e. toseparate the two annular members 28 and 30 thus causing the innerannular member 28 to shift to the position shown in FIG. 8. With theparts positioned as shown in FIG. 8 the resilient ring 32 issufficiently contracted in diameter to permit a reel 25 of the lesseraxial dimension to be placed on the base structure as indicated by thedotted lines.

The knob 45 may then be rotated to continue the advance of the controlcollar 44 to the position shown in FIG. 9 where the inner annular member28 comes into abutment with the base structure 10 to block furtheradvance of the inner annular member. Continued rotation of the controlknob 45 and advance of the control collar 44 from the position shown inFIG. 9 to the position shown in FIG. 10 causes the annular member 30 toadvance towards the annular member 28 to crowd the resilient ring 32down the conical surface 36 against the inner rim of the reel 25 asshown. It is apparent that in FIG. 10- the resilient ring 32 secures thereel of the lesser axial dimension in the same manner as it secures thereel of the greater axial dimension in FIG. 5.

If the knob 45 is reversely rotated for retraction of the knob and thecontrol collar 44 from the positions shown in FIG. the initial result isaxial elongation of the threemernber assembly to the configuration shownin FIG. 9 followed by retraction of the annular member 28 from the basestructure as shown in FLIG. 8. With continued retraction of the knob andthe control collar, the stop nut 43 eventually carries the annularmember 28 high enough for the spring biased latch member 50 to engagethe element 65 as shown in FIG. 5 to stop the annular member 28 at itsouter limit position and thereby limit further retraction of the controlsleeve.

EMy description in specific detail of the selected embodiment of theinvention will suggest various changes, substitutions and otherdepartures from my disclosure within the spirit and scope of theappended claims.

I claim:

1. A rotary support for interchangeably mounting two reels having axialopenings of a given diameter and having two difierent axial dimensions,comprising:

a first circular means dimensioned to enter an axial opening of a reeland having a peripheral conically curved surface;

a resilient ring embracing the conically curved surface, the ring beingunder circumferential tension to tend to climb the conical surface;

a second circular means to push the resilient ring down the conicallycurved surface to expand the ring into pressure engagement with a reel;

means to shift the first circular means axially to a first position forengagement of the resilient ring with a reel of the greater axialdimension and to a second position for engagement of the resilient ringwith a reel of the lesser axial dimension; and

means to actuate said second circular means at each of the two positionsto expand the resilient ring for engagement with a reel.

2. A rotary support for interchangeably mounting two reels having axialopenings of a given diameter and having two different axial dimensions,comprising:

a rotary base structure having a support surface to abut one face of amounted reel;

an annular reel-engaging assembly having a minimum diameter less thanthe given diameter to permit the assembly to be inserted into the axialopenings of the reels,

said annular assembly being axially contractible and being radiallyexpandable from its minimum diameter in response to its axialcontraction, said assembly being biased to tend to assume its minimumdiameter;

control means for the annular assembly including axial structureextending from the base structur to the assembly, the control meansbeing manually operable to shift the assembly axially towards and awayfrom the base structure;

means to block the path of axial movement of the assembly towards thebase structure at a first point and at a second point selectively and tocooperate at each point with the control means to compress the assemblyaxially to cause radial expansion of the assembly,

the first point being located for radial expansion of the assembly intoengagement with the region of the axial opening of the reel of thegreater axial dimension, the second point being located for radialexpansion of the assembly into engagement with the reel of the lesseraxial dimension.

3. A combination as set forth in claim 2 in which said assemblyincludes:

a member having a conical surface with a maximum diameter slightly lessthan the given diameter;

a resilient ring embracing the conical surface under circumferentialtension to cause the ring to tend to shaft axially along the surface inthe direction of decreasing diameter of the surface; and

annular means of less than given diameter to force said resilient ringalong the conical surface in the axial direction of increasing diameterof the conical surface thereby to expand the ring to an outside diametergreater than the outside diameter of the conical surface for engagementwith the region of the axial opening of a reel.

4. A combination as set forth in claim 3 in which the resilient ring isan elastomeric O-ring.

5. A rotary support for interchangeably mounting two reels having axialopenings of a given diameter and having two different axial dimensions,comprising:

a rotary base structure having a support surface to abut one face of amounted reel;

an annular reel-engaging assembly having a minimum diameter less thanthe given diameter to permit the assembly to be inserted into the axialopenings of the reels,

said annular assembly being axially contractible and being radiallyexpandable from its minimum diameter in response to its axialcontraction, the assembly being resiliently biased to tend to assume itsminimum diameter;

control means including axial structure extending \from the basestructure to the assembly, the control means being manually operable toshift the assembly axially towards and away from the base structure;

a first means carried by the assembly to releasably engage the basestructure to block movement of the assembly towards the base structureat a first point on the path of axial movement of the assembly towardsthe base structure to cooperate with the control means to compress theassembly axially to cause radial expansion of the assembly; and

a second means carried by the assembly to engage the base structure toblock movement of the assembly towards the base structure at -a secondsubsequent point on the path of axial movement of the assembly towardsthe base structure to cooperate with the control means to compress theassembly axially to cause radial expansion of the assembly,

the first point being located for radial expansion of the assembly intoengagement with the region of the axial opening of the reel of thegreater axial dimension, the second point being located for radialexpansion of the assembly into engagement with tht reel of the lesseraxial dimension.

6. A rotary support for interchangeably mounting two reels having axialopenings of a given diameter and having two difierent axial dimensions,comprising:

a rotary base structure having a support surface to abut one face of amounted reel and having a boss portion to fit into the axial opening ofthe reel;

an annular assembly having a minimum diameter less than the givendiameter to permit the assembly to be inserted into the axial openingsof the reels, the annular assembly including an outer end member, aninner end member and resilient means between the two members,

the annular assembly being axially contractible against the resistanceof the resilient means and being radially expandable from its minimumdiameter in response to axial contraction, the assembly beingresiliently biased for axial expansion to tend to assume its minimumdiameter;

control means extending axially through the assembly to the basestructure and manually operable to shift the assembly axially towardsand away from the base structure, the control means having two axiallyspaced portions straddling the assembly;

releasable means carried by the inner end member to the assembly toengage the base structure to block axial movement of the inner endmember towards the base structure at a point on the path of axialmovement of the inner end member towards the base structure wherebycontinued operation of the control means after the inner end memberreaches the point causes axial contraction of the assembly withconsequent radial expansion of the assembly, said point being locatedfor expansion of the assembly into engagement with the region of theaxial opening of the reel of the greater axial dimension,

said inner end member being adapted to abut the base structure at asubsequent point on the path whereby continued movement of the inner endmember by the adjustment means after release of the releasable meanscauses axial contraction of the assembly with consequent radialexpansion of the assembly for engagement thereby with the region of theaxial opening of the reel of the lesser axial dimension.

7. A combination as set forth in claim 6 in which said boss is formedwith a circumferential groove;

and in which an O-ring seats in the groove for snug fit with the innercircumferential surface of the mounted reel.

8. A rotary support for interchangeably mounting two reels having axialopenings of a given diameter and having two different axial dimensions,comprising:

a rotary base structure having a support surface to abut one face of amounted reel and having a boss portion to fit into the axial opening ofthe reel;

a threaded post extending axially from the base structure;

a manually rotatable collar embracing the post in screw threadedengagement therewith for movement by screw action towards and away fromthe base structure;

a first annular means carried by the collar and having a truncatedconical surface of a major diameter less than the given diameter;

a resilient ring embracing the conical surface with the ring undercircumferential tension to tend to shift axially along the conicalsurface in the direction of decreasing diameter of the surface;

a second annular means on the collar abutting the ring on the side ofthe ring to oppose the axial shift, the two annular means beingrelatively movable axially towards each other to shift the resilientring in the opposite direction to expand the ring into engagement withthe region of the axial opening of a reel; and

means to block movement of the first annular means at two spaced pointsselectively on its path of movement towards the base assembly to causeretraction of the second annular means towards the first annular meanswhen the collar travels towards the base structure,

one of the two points being located to cause the second annular means toexpand the resilient ring into engagement with the reel of the largeraxial dimen- 51011,

the other of the two points being located to cause the second annularmeans to expand the ring into engagement with the reel of the lesseraxial dimension.

9. A rotary support for interchangeably mounting two reels having axialopenings of a given diameter and having two different axial dimensions,comprising;

a rotary base structure having a support surface to abut one face of amounted reel and having a boss portion to fit into the axial opening ofthe reel;

a threaded post extending axially from the base structure;

a manually rotatable collar embracing the post in screw threadedengagement therewith for movement by screw action towards and away fromthe base structure;

a first annular means carried by the collar and having a truncatedconical surface of a maximum diameter less than the given diameter;

a resilient ring embracing the conical surface with the ring undertension to tend to shift axially along the conical surface in thedirection of decreasing diameter of the surface;

a second annular means on the collar abutting the ring on the side ofthe ring to oppose the axial shift of the ring, the two annular meansbeing relatively movable axially towards each other to shift theresilient ring in the opposite direction to expand the ring intoengagement with the region of the axial opening of a reel; and

latch means carried by the first annular means to releasably engage thebase structure to block movement of the first annular means towards thebase structure at a given point spaced from the base structure tocooperate with the collar to cause the second annular means to expandthe resilient ring into engagement with the reel of the greater axialdimension,

the base structure blocking the advance of the first annular means at asecond subsequent point to cooperate with the collar to cause the secondannular means to expand the resilient ring into engagement with the reelof the lesser axial dimension.

10. A combination as set forth in claim 9 in which in the absence of areel of the greater axial dimension, said latch means is releasable inresponse to continued advance of the collar towards the base structureafter the resilient ring is expanded.

11. A rotary support for interchangeably mounting two reels having axialopenings of a given diameter and having two different axial dimensions,comprising:

a rotary base structure having a support surface to abut one face of amounted reel and having a boss portion to fit into the axial opening ofthe reel;

a threaded post extending axially from the base structure;

I a manually rotatable collar embracing the post in screw threadedengagement therewith for movement by screw action towards and away fromthe base structure;

said collar having two axially spaced shoulders facing towards eachother;

a first annular means slidingly embracing the collar between the twoshoulders and having a trunctated conical surface of a major diameterless than the given diameter;

a resilient ring embracing the conical surface with the ring undercircumferential tension to tend to shift axially along the surface inthe direction of decreas ing diameter of the surface;

a second annular means embracing the collar between the two shouldersand overhanging the first annular means,

the second annular means abutting the resilient ring on the side tooppose the axial shift whereby the resilient ring biases the two annularmeans apart,

v said collar being movable by screw action to carry the first annularmeans into abutment with the base 7 structure whereby continued movementof the collar thereafter advances the second annular means towards thefirst annular means to cause the first annular means to expand theresilient ring into engagement with the reel of the lesser axialdimension; and latch means carried by the first annular means toreleasably engage the base structure to block movement of the firstannular means towards the base structure at a given point spaced fromthe collar towards the base structure when the given point is reachedadvances the second annular means towards the first annular means to agiven degree to cause the first annular means to expand the resilientring into engagement with the reel of the greater axial dimension,

said latch means being in the path of advance of the collar to bereleased thereby in the absence of a reel of the greater axialdimension.

12. A combination as set forth inclaim 11 in which said base structureis provided with a recess to receive the latch means when the firstannular means abuts the base strutcure.

13. A rotary support for interchangeably mounting two reels having axialopenings of first and second axial dimensions, including:

a rotatable 'base structure,

first means movable in an axial direction through first and secondincrements of distance where the second increment of distance extendsfrom the first increment of distance, second means operatively coupledto the first means and responsive to the movement of the first meansthrough the first increment of distance for cooperating with the firstmeans to couple the rotatable base structure to the reel of first axialdimensions and responsive to the movement of the first means through thesecond increment of distance for cooperating with the first means tocouple the rotatable base structure to the reel of second axialdimensions,

third means having a first position to prevent the movement of the firstmeans through the second increment of distance and having a secondposition to provide for the movement of the first means through thesecond increment of distance, and

fourth means responsive to the movement of the first means through thefirst axial increment of distance in the absence of the reel of thefirst axial dimensions for obtaining a movement of the third means fromthe first position to the second position.

14. A rotary support for interchangeably mounting two reels having axialopenings of first and second axial dimensions, including:

a rotatable base structure, l

first means having a first radial position displaced from the reels ofthe first and second axial dimensions and movable to a second radialposition to couple the reels to the rotatable base structure,

second means movable in the axial direction and disposed relative to thefirst means to obtain a movement of the first means to the second radialposition upon the movement of the second means through a first axialdistance and disposed relative to the first means to obtain a movementof the first means to the second radial position upon the movement ofthe second means through a further axial distance after the movement ofthe first means through the first axial distance,

third means operatively coupled to the second means and operative toprevent the movement of the sec ond means through the further axialdistance in the presence of the reel of the first axial dimension, andfourth means operatively coupled to the third means for rendering thethird means inoperative in the absence of the reel of the first axialdimension.

15. A rotary support for interchangeably mounting two reels having axialopenings of first and second axial dimensions, including:

a rotatable base structure,

first means movable in the axial direction and having first and seconddisplaced positions in the axial direction and operative to couple thebase structure in the first and second positions respectively to thereels of first and second axial dimensions,

second means axially displaced from the first means and movable relativeto the first means in the axial direction to operate upon the firstmeans in the first position of the first means for obtaining a couplingof the rotatable base structure by the first means to the 10 reel of thefirst axial dimensions and to operate upon the first means in the secondposition of the first means for obtaining a coupling of the rotatablebase structure by the first means to the reel of the second axialdimensions, and

third means operatively coupled to the first means and operative inaccordance with an absence of the reel of the first axial dimensions inthe first position of the first means and operative in accordance withan axial movement of the second means for obtaining a displacement ofthe first means from the first position to the second position.

16. A rotary support for interchangeably mounting two reels having axialopenings of first and second axial dimensions, including:

a rotatable base structure,

first means movable in the axial direction and having first and seconddisplaced positions in the axial di rection, i

second means movable in the axial direction in displaced relationship tothe first means,

flexible means disposed between the first and second means andresponsive to a first axial movement of the second means toward thefirst means, with the first means in the first position, to becomeclamped by the first and second means to the reel of the first axialdimensions and responsive to a further axial movement of the secondmeans toward the first means, with the first means in the secondposition, to become clamped by the first and second means to the reel ofthe second axial dimensions, and

means operatively coupled to the first means and operative in accordancewith an absence of the reel of the first axial dimensions for obtaininga displacement of the first means from the first position to the secondposition. I

17. A rotary support for interchangeably mounting two reels having axialopenings of first and second axial dimensions, including:

a rotatable base structure,

first means responsive to pressure for :providing a variable radius uponthe exertion of an axial pressure against such means and for pressingagainst the reels to hold the reels in position relative to the basestructure,

second means operatively coupled to the first means for moving axiallyagainst the first means to obtain a variation in the radius of the firstmeans for a holding of the reel of the first axial dimension against thebase structure, and

means operative in accordance with an absence of the reel of the firstaxial dimension for providing a further displacement of the first meansin the axial direction to provide for a further movement of the secondmeans into pressing relationship with the first means to obtain aholding of the reel of the second axial dimension against the basestructure.

18. A rotary support for interchangeably mounting two reels having axialopenings of first and second axial dimensions, including:

a base structure for receiving the reels having the axial openings ofthe first and second axial dimensions, first means adjustable in axialposition,

second means adjustable in axial position and displaced axially from thefirst means and movable axially between first and second positions,

third means disposed between the first and second means and responsiveto a first adjustment of the first means in axial position in the firstaxial position of the second means to become clamped between the firstand second means and to become clamped by the first and second means tothe reel of first axial dimensions, and

fourth means operatively coupled to the third means and operative inaccordance with an absence of the 1 1 .1 2 reel of first diameter uponthe first axial adjustment References Cited by the Examiner of the firstmeans for providing for a displacement UNITED STATES PATENTS of thesecond means in the axial direction to the sec- 0nd axial position toobtain a clamping of the third 1981563 11/1934 Mcnvlred et 242 683 X2,889,123 6/1959 Hayden 24268.3

means between the first and second means and a 5, 3 083 927 4/1963Prosin 24268 3 clamping of the third means by the first and second umeans to the reel of second axial dimensions upon FRANK L COHEN, Primarya further adjustment of the first means in the axial direction and toobtain a clamping of the base struc- MERVIN STEIN Emmmer' ture to thereel of second axial dimensions. 10 N. L. MINTZ, Assistant Examiner.

13. A ROTARY SUPPORT FOR INTERCHANGEABLY MOUNTING TWO REELS HAVING AXIALOPENINGS OF FIRST AND SECOND AXIAL DIMENSIONS, INCLUDING: A ROTABLE BASESTRUCTURE, FIRST MEANS MOVABLE IN AN AXIAL DIRECTION THROUGH FIRST ANDSECOND INCREMENTS OF DISTANCE WHERE THE SECOND INCREMENT OF DISTANCEEXTENDS FROM THE FIRST INCREMENT OF DISTANCE, SECOND MEANS OPERATIVELYCOUPLED TO THE FIRST MEANS AND RESPONSIVE TO THE MOVEMENT OF THE FIRSTMEANS THROUGH THE FIRST INCREMENT OF DISTANCE FOR COOPERATING WITH THEFIRST MEANS TO COUPLE THE ROTATABLE BASE STRUCTURE TO THE REEL OF FIRSTAXIAL DIMENSIONS AND REPSONSIVE TO THE MOVEMENT OF THE FIRST MEANSTHROUGH THE SECOND INCREMENT OF DISTANCE FOR COOPERATING WITH THE FIRSTMEANS TO COUPLE THE ROTATABLE BASE STRUCTURE TO THE REEL OF SECOND AXIALDIMENSIONS,